Girl Child: Kwara Pays N150m Counterpart Funds, Constitutes Steering Committee for AGILE Project

The Kwara State Government has constituted a steering committee for the implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a Federal Government/World Bank-supported programme to improve girl child’s access to quality secondary school education. 

The setting up of the steering committee is another step, which follows the state government’s fulfillment of all criteria that qualified it for the programme, including payment of a commitment fund of N150 million, according to a statement. 

The committee comprises headship/Commissioner of the Ministry of Education (chairperson), Commissioners for Finance, Health, Women Affairs, Social Development, Youth Development, Environment and Communications; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development; Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board; Executive Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission; Executive Director, Agency for Mass Education; Chairman, State School Based Management Committee; Coordinator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All; and State Project Coordinator (Secretary). 

The statement said the committee will meet quarterly to review the implementation of the state’s sub-projects and forward its analysis and conclusions to the National Project Coordinating Unit; approve annual work programmes; budget and procurement plans; ensure that performance targets are met; track performance using key performance indicators for the programme; ensure effective communication and access to information; monitor feedback and grievances; and monitor project implementation outcome achievement.

The counterpart fund is to help the state kickstart the AGILE programme, which will involve substantial investments in secondary school infrastructure, hygiene facilities, reduction in dropout rates among girls, and better school outcomes for them.

Further details on the programme may be accessed through www.kwaraagile.com.